Tennessee football plays its second road game in a row during a trip to Arkansas to begin its 2024 SEC slate.
I spoke with Riley McFerran of HawgBeat to preview the game.
Here's what he said.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
How short is Sam Pittman's leash? What are the expectations for this season?
Coming off a 4-8 campaign that included head-scratching in-game decisions and an anemic offense, the leash is short for Sam Pittman. The nine-win 2021 season seems like an eternity ago, and everything hinges on Bobby Petrino’s redemption tour. A failure to win at least six or seven games will likely result in a coaching search for the Hogs later this year.
As for expectations heading into the season, they are understandably low. There’s some hope because of Petrino, but how realistic is it for an almost completely new-look offensive line and new quarterback to come out firing in the SEC? I think a lot of fans see the writing on the wall so to speak, and the first few weeks of the season are pivotal for Pittman to get everyone back on board and excited for football in Fayetteville.
What does the quarterback position look like with KJ Jefferson departing?
Taylen Green wasn’t really on the transfer portal radar for most fans during the offseason, but he lacks in prestige he makes up for with potential. At 6-foot-6 and with blazing speed, the big-arm gunslinger is exactly what you want in today’s game. He’s raw, but you could see the glimpses of development in Arkansas’ spring game with good touch and the ability to hit crossers over the middle of the field. The ceiling is extremely high for Green, but the floor is lower than most fans would like.
What is the expected strength, weakness of this team?
The running back and defensive end groups are perceived strengths entering the season, especially with the addition of Utah transfer running back Ja’Quinden Jackson and returning pass rusher Landon Jackson.
Behind Ja’Quinden is talented junior Rashod Dubinion, who had an underwhelming 2023-24 season but has flashed RB1 qualities. Be sure to watch out for freshman Braylen Russell, who is a bulldozer at 6-foot-1, 252 pounds.
Alongside Landon is returner Nico Davillier, Albany transfer Anton Juncaj and four-star freshmen Charlie Collins and Kavion Henderson. The depth is there for this group to be a dark horse top-half SEC unit.
While I would call the wide receiver group a weakness entering the season, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be bad. Andrew Armstrong is ready for a breakout year, and Tyrone Broden has vastly improved over the offseason. After that is Isaiah Sategna, a gamebreaker with elite speed that should do damage in Petrino’s scheme. The issue is depth, something the Hogs lack at another key position…
Defensive tackle. Headlined by Cam Ball and Eric Gregory, Arkansas just doesn’t have the numbers there to consistently stop SEC offenses week in and week out. Keivie Rose and BYU transfer Danny Saili are solid depth pieces, but I’m afraid the Razorbacks will be exploited by good rushing attacks.
What have you heard about Doneiko Slaughter and Addison Nichols since they transferred from Tennessee to Arkansas?
Both Doneiko Slaughter and Addison Nichols have made quick impressions with Arkansas, and both are expected to start when the season rolls around in August. Slaughter’s versatility will have him all around the secondary, but he’s lined up the most in the “HOG” (nickel) position for the Razorbacks. Pittman went as far as saying that Slaughter was “...as good as any of (the secondary) back there. He’s a good player and he’s a really good kid. (He) is a guy that’s really going to help us.”
Nichols’ move to center was shaky at first, but he’s proven to be capable there and Pittman believes he can “become a really good SEC player and a draftable player” at the position.
Do you think the game being played in Fayetteville will make any difference?
That depends entirely on where Arkansas sits record-wise when the Volunteers come into town. It’s possible – and even likely — that the Hogs are 2-3 with back-to-back losses to Auburn and Texas A&M. Fans won’t be excited at that point, so the crowd won’t be buzzing and the atmosphere may be down.
However, if Arkansas proves the haters wrong and wins a couple games entering Week 6, hosting Tennessee in Fayetteville could prove to be the difference in what could be an offensive matchup.
–––––
– TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM.
– ENJOY VOLREPORT WITH A PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION.
– SUBSCRIBE TO THE VOLREPORT YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
– FOLLOW VOLREPORT ON TWITTER: @TennesseeRivals, @ByNoahTaylor, @RyanTSylvia, @Dale_Dowden, @ShayneP_Media.
–––––
